I appreciate the help guys.....I found a similar thread on a different library a guy used so I'm going to check into that....everything here is close but no cigar......its definitely 0x3F as well....no matter their website......labor day amend.....gonna break for now

For arjscott.....in your comments you say don't forget to use the new liquidcrystal library...you're referring to the one sainsmart provides compatible with arduino right?

The new liquidcrystal library can be found here:

https://bitbucket.org/fmalpartida/new-liquidcrystal/wiki/Home

One important thing to note from the installation instructions (at the above link) is this:

"The library has been developed to replace the current Arduino library, therefore you will need to remove/backup the LiquidCrystal folder from the Arduino library folder the original LiquidCrystal library and replace it for this one."

So, be sure to move the current LiquidCrystal folder somewhere, and replace it with the new library.